Anfim/ECM Grinder

shape_shifter

I bought this grinder from a guy on CS, already second hand when he bought it so he doesn't know how old it is.

I am having problems getting the grind fine enough, I've been talking with Tim about what could be wrong and Lacehim came across our conversation and suggested I put it up in a post, so what follows is our conversation and photos so far.

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Tim: On the burrs there is a few visible chips out of them but the final cutting area looks clean. The one that is in the body (lower burr) is it tight on the shaft? So no wobbles etc?
SS: It doesn't rock on the centre part, no
Tim: First however get rid of some of the crud (technical term)

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SS: Yep done that
SS: Ok so I'm screwing down, it's a little tight in places due to the damaged threads which have been fixed ok. So I've screwed it in
Tim: Bottom of the thread? or bottom of the adjustment?

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Tim: So from what your saying the burr won't screw in any further to use those last 2 threads showing in the last photo?
SS: Yes that's it
Tim: Question is what is stopping it screwing in further? Are the bottom two threads of the housing still messy/stripped?

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SS: Ok so I take it the burrs never touch then
Tim: Should never quite touch but very nearly as the ground size particles comes through the gap so espresso is a tiny gap. So if that gap can't get to tiny due to the upper burr not going down low then no espresso. Burrs blunt or sharp won't change that. So back to trying to get that carrier lower into the housing. The layer of coffee sitting above the slinger what does that rest on as per the photos.
SS: Nothing, it's just sitting there somehow.
Tim: I still reckon you have a bad or dodgy thread, otherwise you would get the burrs to touch.

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Tim: Just looking at the photos of the burrs there was some chunks out of some of them so rocks have been there I suspect. The 2 shiny flat parts of the burrs however looked in decent condition so you should still be able to get espresso grind out but the prticles will be a bit all over the place. The only other ugly thought is the main shaft is bent so the lower burr wobbles and will get you course on one side and dust on the other.
SS: Nope we don't think so as we put chalk all over the burrs and they have scraped evenly on three points around it.
Tim: Then look at the sharpness of the teeth away from the shiny bits?

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This is as far as Tim and I got when Lacehim asked me to put up a thread about it. Hopefully someone else might have ideas as well.

Lacehim

SS, I had issues with my rocky and replaced the burrs. I just wanted to say that I tried generic burrs from coffeeparts and they just weren't as good as original burrs. So if you buying burrs, save a bit of money, hassle and worry in the long term and buy genuine. Try cleaning the threads, even a slight bit of old coffee stuck in there doesn't help. a wrap of teflon (plumbers) tape stops any wobble if you have any (so the upper burr moves and can rock around slightly. Also you get heaps of crap stuck under the burrs, so take them off (use a proper size screwdriver or you'll damage the screws and never get them out). Give it all a good clean reassembled and try it again. I would put new burrs in it, for the cost of a new set it will at least eliminate that issue, and if that doesn't work ebay it and wash you hands of it. 😉

Lacehim

Also these is a parts diagram here if you need it http://www.espressocompany.com.au/diagrams.htm They should also stock genuine replacement burrs. 😉 Also is this a doserless or doser model?

shape_shifter

Thanks Lacehim. It's a doser.

mycuppa

Nic, We have experienced problems in the past with grinder having the wrong burrs fitted. Yes, that's right, an ever so slight difference in the dimensions of a burr, e.g. 64mm and it's only when you compare one set to another that you can spot the difference. This has happened despite purchasing what we requested as being genuine parts. A recent issue was quite bad on a K10 for a cafe doing 60+ kilos a week - the barista was having a nightmare. The burrs were identical except for a very minor difference that was not immediately obvious on the underside. Quick change of burrs fixed the problem instantly. Not suggesting this is your problem, but unless you have a reference point (like an authentic part) it can be frustrating to resolve. I have seen a problem also where the bevel (the depth of the space allowing the screw head to submerge under the cutting surface area) was not deep enough by the smallest of fractions and thus the burrs would not tighten correctly or the screws were too proud. I've even seen incorrect screws (long thread or high sitting head). The list goes on and on. Good Luck !

shape_shifter

You know funny that you say that Jeff, it's something that my OH questioned me about "as the burrs the right ones?". I'm hoping that the burrs will come with new screws as there were some missing and as you said if they are incorrect by even a tiny bit it can make a difference. I think buying new burrs is the only way to go and see if it makes a difference, otherwise yes it'll make a create non espresso grinder for someone 😃

Lacehim

shape_shifter wrote:

I'm hoping that the burrs will come with new screws as there were some missing

Missing? I couldn't see any missing on the burrs in the photos? New burrs don't come with screws, at least not from my experience and you'll need stainless steel screws.